I watched a movie last night and in the movie one of the kids goes running through the house yelling, “Do over! Do over!” I’d never heard the phrase before and just loved it. Imagine if we could just yell “Do over!” every time we messed up, wanted to change our minds, or just felt like starting over! Life doesn’t really work that way after the age of 5, but I thought it might be fun to have a little FaveCrafts 365 Do Over… Check out the v-log!

Button, button, who’s got a button? Heck, I have jars full of buttons. I collect them. I look at them. I play with them. However, I rarely use them for clothing. I’d rather craft with my buttons. Sometimes I need to make sure that a button adheres or lays flat on a surface, but the button I need to use has a shank. The shank is the metal or plastic loop on the back of the button. The shank is needed to sew the button to fabric, but I don’t need to do that! So I need to remove the shank.

If the shank is metal or a very hard material you should use wire cutters to remove the shank. However, a majority of modern buttons have plastic shanks. And there is a great tool, the Button Shank Remover Tool to be exact that does the job perfectly. Watch this video to see how the tool works!

FaveCrafts 365 is your daily v-log report from FaveCrafts.com. We’ll keep you up to date on everything going on from new projects posted, giveaways, product reviews, and more with FaveCrafts.com Resident Craft Expert and In-House Designer, Maria Nerius. Let us know what you want to know!

As experts and enthusiasts of all things crafty, FaveCrafts decided to host a special National Craft Month blog series for all of our lovely readers. Check back for a new blog post every day featuring our favorite projects, new craft videos, how-to’s from the FaveCrafts editors, and a GIGANTIC, ENORMOUS, AMAZING craft giveaway at the end of the month. That’s right–we’re giving away the biggest prize ever, a gift basket chock full of crafting goodies from our craft closet. There’s something for everyone in this gift basket.

Leave a comment below, and on any blog post labeled “National Craft Month” in the headline, and your comment will count as an entry into the giveaway. You are free to comment as often as once per blog post (for a total of 31 chances to win!). At the end of the month, we’ll pool all of the comments together and pick one lucky winner.

FaveCrafts has a great assortment of collections and eBooks for anyone that loves jewelry making. Basically, if you have the urge to create, we’ve got you covered. For some of us editors, there are a few must have resources for jewelry making. Here are our absolute favorites!

Top 25 Thrifty Homemade Pieces of Jewelry – In these tough economic times, it’s always good to be extra thrifty. That’s why this collection is kind of perfect – you can make your own jewelry without paying a ton of money. How cool is that?

15 Important Items For Your Jewelry Tool Box – Okay, I know there aren’t projects listed in this collection, but it’s still so useful. If you love to make jewelry at home, this is the perfect guide for you. It’s totally comprehensive and has so much information. You just can’t go wrong with this handy guide.

Do you usually wear your homemade jewelry or give it away? Who do you give it to?

Hello, I’m Maria Nerius and I’m a tool freak. I’ve loved collecting craft and art tools for as long as I can remember. I don’t even have to know what the tool does to know I must have it! There isn’t a tool that I don’t like and I’m always on the look-out for new tools. I discovered a very cool tool the other day and wanted to share it with you.

Are you a tool freak too? Do you have a favorite tool? Let us know in the comments!

Two very tough questions for me to answer, Audrey, since I do such a wide variety of crafts I tend to use a few specialty glues. If I could only have one glue in my toolbox it would have to be Aleene’s Tacky Glue. It’s the first craft glue I ever used and it never fails. If you need a thicker glue, just remove the top for a few minutes and the glue gets even tackier. If you need a thinner glue all you have to do it add a few drops of water. I could talk about glue all day long since I do believe you need to use the right glue for specific jobs in crafting such as when working with wood, a wood glue really is the best bond or if working with fabric, it’s best to use a fabric glue for the best results.

As for my favorite tool… I’d have to say sharp scissors since I do so much hand cutting, but I also never craft without a pair of fine tipped tweezers. I need as much help as possible placing items and tweezers are my best friends. I’m a bit of a tool geek, I love tools and tend to collect anything new that comes out. Great questions! Thanks.

Maria Nerius is the Resident Craft Expert at FaveCrafts.com and you can send her questions to answer at: Maria@favecrafts.com.

My favorite craft tool is my rotary cutter and my rotary cutting mat. It makes cutting straight lines for quilting SO MUCH FASTER. It is a bit expensive but it’s by far the best crafty investment I ever made.

My favorite tool is this Clover Desk needle Threader in Lime green! I not only keep one in every project bag but I’ve given them as gifts to people who just hem and sew on buttons.. it’s a miracle threader!

That is a hard one to answer when there are so many useful tools that I consider “favorites”. But I think the one tool I love the most, and could not live without, is my 28mm rotary cutter. I use this for every one of my cutting needs – cutting yardage, squaring up, using with my circle cutter ruler… I would be lost without it.

I remember reading once about how to measure the cost and value of scrapbooking or craft supplies. As a general rule it said that you should get one layout or project per dollar investment. With that in mind, my favorite crafts tool is definitely my Cricut Expression. It was an investment but well worth it because of all the things I can do with it. I use it along with a program called Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL) which is my other favorite tool. SCAL allows me to cut files and fonts from my computer. I create a lot of my own files, which has saved me money in the long run. To top it off, I always get exactly what I want because I make it myself. Love the freedom!

My favorite craft tool(s) is the rotary cutting system! It has opened so many doors in my quilting career! I have also used the tools for cutting paper (I reserve one rotary cutting tool just for cutting paper)! Makes my life quick and easy! Wish the tools could make up dinner for me, just as fast, too! :O)

My favorite craft tool is a paint brush. I can do most anything with it from building a (faux) brick wall to writing a letter. I can brighten up a room, paint a best friend, make a window, or embellish a special find. It’s really the most versatile tool in my box of tricks!

I would have to say my favorite craft tool is very simple and basic – scissors. Every single craft I do from sewing, quilting, needlepoint, paper crafting and just about everything else requires cutting with scissors. Scissors would go with me to the proverbial “deserted island” so I could craft with leaves and vines!

Favorite craft tool? Just one? I would have to say it is my Sizzix Big Shot die cut machine. It is designed to work with not only the Sizzix dies and embossing folders, but the competitors’ as well. I especially like how it handles heavier materials; basically anything that may be cut with scissors. There are a great variety of dies to suit everyone’s design style and a new collection is introduced each month.

I recently designed a line of dies for Sizzix called ScoreBoards, that cut and score matboard into boxes, folders and totes. Please check out my blog for lots of Sizzix ScoreBoards projects: www.eileenhull.blogspot.com. Or check out www.sizzix.com/blogs on Mondays where I post projects, techniques and tips!”

I have a lot of tools and most of them I would hesitate to part with. I love my Making Memories Slice – it’s smart and convenient and fun to use. I love my favorite old cutter that has a tendency to bend as it cuts but whose habits I’ve got used to adjusting for over the years and which I wouldn’t part with. I also love my Tim Holtz Tonic scissors – yep, it’s my second pair because even though I thought they were totally indestructible I’ve discovered that computer circuit boards are just a bit too tough for even these little beauties.

But my favorite all time tool is Ranger’s non stick craft sheet. Like it says, it is non stick but that’s just the start. You can also heat it so it is great to use when embossing and when heat drying those wonderful Ranger paints that can be dried with a heat gun (which are fantastic for artists with type A personalities and who hate having to sit watching while paint dries). I use it as a work surface and pour gobs of paint on it as a palette – the dry paint just scrapes off when I’m done. The only thing that has so far managed to damage my Ranger craft sheet is an eXacto knife – ok so it’s no substitute for a cutting mat – but it’s great at everything else.

I have a pair of crafting scissors that were passed down to me after she passed away, almost two years ago now. She wrote the words “therapy” on one side. She was an avid crafter and had a home based craft business much of my growing up years. Along with those wonderful scissors, she passed on to me a life long love of crafting and creativity. Now, every time I use those scissors, I think of her and remember all the special memories we shared.

I love the Crop-a-dile. This tool is not your mama’s hole punch. It cuts through paper, chipboard, wood cutouts, and so much more. It also doubles as an eyelet/gromet setter. I have made so many crafts where people ask me “How did you do that?” I always say “I couldn’t have done it without the Crop-a-dile”.

Well, It is really hard to limit myself to simply one tool. I have a few basics that I cannot craft without. First being my Tonic Scissors. I have several varieties for all of my needs. My Tonic Paper Trimmer for straight edges. My bone folder for smoothing creases and spreading glue. My cutting mat allows me a washable work surface and it doubles as a ruler. ( I am always losing my clear ruler – It is clear after all.) The last few items are more materials than tools but I somehow manage to work Chestnut Roan or Coal Black Ancient Page by Clearsnap ink into almost all of my crafts. The very last thing is my set of colored pencils by Koh I Noor when combined with a Dove Blender Pen. So there you have it my not so “short” list of my must haves.

My fave craft tool (right now anyway) is my wood burner! It costs about $15 and has a bunch of different inter changable stylus ends like flowers, circles, triangles etc. Currently, I’m using it to burn the edges of thrifted leather jackets that I’ve torn apart and cut into all different shapes. I can even monogram the leather with the wood burner!

My favorite craft tool would have to be my trusty Dahle Cut Cat paper trimmer that i bought more than 20 years ago at an art/craft convention. It has remained faithful in all I work in, predominantly greeting and gift cards, tags and various paper crafts I create. One thing about having this tool long before children were born in our family, is that it makes me chuckle to realize I now sometimes have to hunt for it, and find it in one of my artistic daughter’s bedrooms – alongside her own creative workings and tools! It’s not pretty, but it’s definitely a cherished family heirloom.

Anita Bragg

clothes pins w/the spring…they make excellent clamps and “3rd” hands for all kinds of arts and crafts.

Besides the crochet hook… my favorite crafting tool is my digital camera! I use it to take photos of things that inspire me. I take photos of projects in-process to illustrate how to do it or to jog my memory of how I made it or put it together. I take photos of alternate ways of compiling elements to inspire future projects. Of course, I love looking at photos of my finished work. When I make afghans made of motifs, I often will photograph the various ways that the motifs can go together in different patterns or color schemes before I choose the configuration I like best.

My favorite craft tool of the moment is the Scor Pal (www.scor-pal.com). Coming from the world of fabric, I had no idea that you could get a paper folder and what a difference it makes! And this one provides great guides so you really can’t screw it up. I’ve been folding paper like a mad woman since I got this tool in December.

wow it is kinda hard to say what my favorite tool is. I am gonna say right now it is my new to me Necchi 523(1985). I have always had brand new bottom of the line brothers. Those 2 brothers served me well but I put machines through a lot so correcting the tension was a constant struggle. I got the necchi in a trade and had it serviced, just to start off on the right foot with it. It is so smooth and really just hums beautifully; it just feels good to use it. I think buying a machine that is older then say 15/20 years is a great investment. You can find good machines on craigslist and if you need a manual ; most are available on-line. I am still learning to communicate with my sweet necchi but I predict a long and fruitful relationship.

This is an easy one. My favorite craft tool is the rotary fabric cutter …and its faithful companions the self-healing mat and clear ruler. I remember the first time that I used the rotary fabric cutter years ago to make a fabric handbag. I just measured the width with the ruler and ran the rotary cutter down the side. What?? No paper pattern to make? No measuring and marking with a pen and cutting out — jaggedly, usually — with scissors? Are you telling me this piece of fabric is cut within a few easy minutes?

Yes, why yes it is. And I have been using a rotary fabric cutter ever since. Most of my free projects at MerrimentDesign.com use a rotary fabric cutter. It’s particularly great when cutting out interfacing and fabric, or making multiple items like for gifts or for sale …just stack fabrics/interfacing and cut once. And I often use it on paper too even though I also own a “proper” paper cutter.

My favorite craft tool is able to adapt to whatever craft I am working on at the time. It is portable and able to travel even onto an airplane without security problems. It is easy to clean and requires little maintenance. I never have to worry about it becoming obsolete relegated to a shelf or closet. My favorite craft tool has made me the crafter I am today and has helped me to enjoy a full and meaningful life. What could this tool be? My fingers.

Whenever I need a quick or interesting background in a hurry I always reach for the Cuttlebug…. it is without a doubt my favourite tool. I love that you can use it on so many different 2D surfaces and apart from paper and cardstock I also use it to texture acetate, Fantasy Film, Friendly Plastic (yes, you read right – Friendly Plastic!), metal sheets, matting board…..I could go on but it’s a long list. It’s the best tool I’ve invested in.

Thanks so much for writing. I would have to say one of my most recent favorite tools is my new set of bamboo knitting needles. I’ve don’t so much knitting with huge needles and bulky yarn that to use a fine wool yarn and thin needles is so refreshing. Bamboo is an excellent material for knitting needles because it’s light, smooth, and stays warm as you work with it. Love it!

While at the 2010 Winter Craft and Hobby Trade Show, I was given Westcott’s® Titanium Bonded® non-stick scissors to take home with me. When working with paper, I tend to use double-stick tape a lot. If you have ever used scissors to cut tape, you know the scissors will become a sticky mess. These scissors promise to be non-sick scissors.

So, I tried using Westcott’s® Titanium Bonded® non-stick scissors. They worked great. The scissors cut through the sticky adhesive and did not become sticky at all. I used the scissors when working on the artwork for my last three articles and never once had a problem with adhesive sticking to the blades.

The blades are non stick and cut beautifully. They are on the top ten of my favorite craft tools.

When asked what our favorite craft tool is, it took us about a millisecond to come up with an answer. Hands down, our favorite tool is our Cutter Bee scissors! There’s really hardly a project we ever do that doesn’t involve them. We absolutely love their super-sharp point, and they do an amazingly precise cutting job. Plus they’re really comfortable to hold, and small enough to take just about anywhere your crafting leads you. We couldn’t survive without these little yellow guys!

My favorite craft tool is not my most used craft tool. My most used craft tools are obviously my hot glue gun and my staple gun. The one favorite tool I adore is my mallet. It’s the only tool that lets me pound wood dowels or nailhead trim with a rubber head and without damage. It’s essential to me !

Right now, my favorite craft tool is a chasing hammer and steel block. I guess that’s two, but they work together. I love to create texture on metals and wire and these tools are perfect for that. But, they not only create a hammered texture on metals, they also work to texture and distress paper, wood, clay and soft plastics.

I would have to say my favorite craft tool right now is my sewing machine. Does that count? For the longest time I fought with it, but we are on pretty good terms right now that I actually know how to use it properly.

The answer to this is kind of a quandry for me. You would think that the craft tool that I use the most, my glue gun, would be my all time favorite. Well, it wasn’t – now it is. Whenever I’m crafting it’s always in my right hand. In fact, sometimes I think it’s glued itself there! It is vitally important to just about everything I do – so much so that I have to admit I’ve burned a few of them out over the years. But, from time to time it’s also been my least favorite tool as it has caused me a great deal of pain. Getting scalding hot glue on ones hands and fingers from time to time was not a pleasant experience – especially when it was so hot your skin would blister and peel. However, over time they developed low temp glue guns – which no longer cause me pain. So, now my favorite tool would be my glue gun – but, it wasn’t always that way.

I sew my creative ideas into aprons, napkins, towels and a number of items for the home but specifically the kitchen. You would naturally think my sewing machine was my favorite tool but instead it is my iron.

No matter how beautiful the fabric, perfect a design, seamstress abilities, if you don’t have a good iron to press each seam along the way the end result will look cheap and fail to appeal to others.

I also hold a lot of favor in my little 4 inch seam ripper, because I need it fairly frequently as I make my own patterns and that is almost always a trial and error process. However, number one is the iron it makes even your little mistakes invisible.

My favourite crafting tool is definitely my hot glue gun! I actually just have a tiny dollar store one that I have been using for years and it does great. I use it for so many things like making hair clips and bows, making felt puppets, jazzing up shoes with jewels, and making fridge magnets. I especially love it because it is quick and easy to use. It dries super fast and is really secure once it is dry. I love my glue gun…even if it is from the dollar store!

My favorite tool right now is my bias tape maker. I use bias tape for many of my projects. It is so nice to customize the tape and to be able to match things better by making my own bias tape…plus it is usually cheaper to do so!

My favorite craft tool of the moment is my EK Success 1″ Scallop Circle Craft Punch! I know it seems very simple, but it’s amazing how much a little scalloped circle ads to a project. I’ve been doing a lot of cards and small frames lately, and the little craft punch comes in handy.

There are always a few tools I always gravitate to when creating! I love Distressing ink! It’s a must when adding detail and depth to any paper craft. I also love beautiful fabric! It doesn’t take a lot either! I’ve created some amazing results with only scraps! And of course I always have my hot glue gun at hand! It’s the go to tool for quick and easy assembly!

It’s hard to pick between my craft tools as I love knitting as much as crocheting. If I had to choose only one, my favourite craft tool is my complete set of Knit Pro Symfonie Interchangeable Needles. They are an absolute dream to knit with. Worth every cent!

We crafters may lust after that fine alpaca yarn or cool new craft punch, but few of us have unlimited budgets for crafting. We have to pick and choose what we purchase. Luckily, there are always ways to cut costs here and there, so you can indulge the occasional craft splurge. Personally, I get a lot of my materials online at Cutratecrafts.com. Here are 5 more ideas for how and where to save money on craft supplies:

Make your own craft tools. You might have seen this recent post on how to make a simple loom with a hammer, nails and a picture frame. Have you thought about making a flower press? I pick wildflowers on nature walks and press in my homemade press. These flowers make beautiful embellishments for cards, scrapbook pages and picture frames. You will need two pieces of plywood, cardboard, blotting paper (plain paper sandwich between newspaper also works for blotting), and 4 nuts and bolts with flat washers. Basically, you are creating a wood-cardboard-blotting paper-flower sandwich which can be tightened to press all the water our of the flowers. Here is a great tutorial for making your own flower press.

TIP– In my experience, purple wildflowers hold their colors very well when pressed. Yellow flowers can sometimes take on a brownish tint when pressed. Try pressing flatter blooms such as daisies before thick blooms, like those of roses.

Reuse and Recycle- So many materials you might consider trash can be reused for crafting. Cardboard can become a reusable template for a variety of shapes. Pliable aluminum found in empty soda cans, tea-lights and used kitchen foil can be used in a wide range of home decorating, wearable or paper crafts.

Thrift Stores- Local thrift stores will often have valuable craft supplies, including print materials such as sewing patterns or craft books. You can also pick up cheap wool sweaters for felting and fabric.

Check out online resources for free or discounted craft supplies.

FreeCycle- Join the community in your area to get free stuff that someone else does not want! You have to give something away to start.

CraigsList- People often clear out creative supplies via craigslist, especially in the bad economy.

Etsy-In addition to finished handmade goods, you can buy many materials on Etsy and find good bargains. You are sure to find the absolute perfect buttons for your project on Etsy.

eBay- Consider buying craft materials such as yarn or thread in bulk on eBay.

Amazon- Check out the resell section of Amazon for bargain craft supplies.

Have a creativity party once per week where crafters bring craft tools to share. For example, everyone could bring their stamps to a super-fun paper craft party.

If you are interested in an expensive tool such as an electronic cutting machine, but not ready to make the investment, why not share the cost with a group of friends? The machine can spend 2 weeks with each member of the group and/or you can throw cutting parties during which everyone can use the machine. Creating together is always more fun anyway!

AMACO has sent us 3 great tools for working with friendly plastic, clay and even paint: Marbling Comb, Needle Tool, Wood Sculpting Tool. The marbling tool allows you to make swirls and other patterns easily. The needle tool and the wood sculpting tool both allow you to manipulate the materials. These are great for clay artists and those interesting in jewelry craft. Learn more and enter to win here.

Contest ends October 16, 2009. You can enter once daily, so return often to improve your chances of winning!

Full Project Tutorials

Easy crafts with yarn that are not crochet or knit can be hard to come by. I like to find yarn crafts that are creative and functional but also perfect for kids. This tutorial from Yarnspirations fits the bill and we are so excited to share it with you. Organize your desk with these woven […]